Chris McMullen, Ph.D.

Instructor of Physics

Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts

 

Clubs

 

A New Club?  I am interested in sponsoring a science-related club, especially if there is student interest.  If you are interested in one or more of the following ideas, or if you have an idea for a new science-related club that you would want to join, please let me know:

 

·         Science Research:  Is there interest in a club for students who are working on research projects in science?  This could be for students who are already working on research projects for a class, science competition, FSP, or Distinction, in which case students could conduct supervised research during part of the club time.  However, here is a different possibility:  Students who enjoy physics could form a club to meet every week and collaborate on a research project in physics – perhaps culminating in a team entry into a science competition or a published research paper.  I do have ideas for guiding a team of students toward potentially publishable research in physics, provided they were willing to meet once a week for an extended period of time.

 

·         Writing about Science:  Are there students who would like to participate in some form of scientific journalism?  One possibility is to accept scientific articles, review and edit the manuscripts, and publish the scientific journal – annually or semiannually would be fine.  It could instead take the shape of a science newsletter, where a staff of writers prepare articles about science relating to the newsletter’s theme – the frequency could be monthly or bimonthly, for example.  Or it could be much different – collaborating on a book such as The Giftie’s Guide to Physics, designed to help students struggling in physics, self-publishing the book, and donating any proceeds to the school.  Exactly what a Writing about Science club would do is largely up to the students who would wish to form it.

 

Science-Related Clubs:

 

·         Science Club, sponsored by Dr. Hynes.  This includes Science Quiz Bowl practices and competitions and Science Olympiad.  Students interested in science who may enjoy the challenge of answering science questions in a competitive ambiance are encouraged to inquire about Science Quiz Bowl and Science Olympiad.

 

·         Future Scientist Program, sponsored by the Science Department.  This is described in detail below.

 

·         Medical Explorers.

 

Quiz Bowl:

 

·         I have sponsored Quiz Bowl in the past.  John Shore is sponsoring Quiz Bowl this year.  Dr. Hynes is sponsoring Science Quiz Bowl.

 

Future Scientist Program

 

Overview:

 

·         The Future Scientist Program is designed for students at LSMSA who desire to become tomorrow’s scientists and engineers.

 

·         The program provides for a balance between academic and extracurricular science activities in a structured and carefully monitored environment.

 

·         Science faculty will guide the student and provide advice on appropriate curriculum paths, career opportunities, and recommend specific activities that will help the student grow in the selected area of interest.

 

·         Students must apply and be accepted into this program by the science faculty before Dead Day of their Junior Year.  Entry is not automatic and is based on a review of the student by science faculty.

 

·         The Future Scientist Program does not replace or interfere with the Distinction program.

 

·         Students succeeding in the Future Scientist Program will receive awards at the Senior Recognition ceremony and at a Banquet hosted in their honor prior to graduation.

 

·         Completing this program will provide an impressive list of accomplishments that can be included in recommendation letters to colleges and universities.

 

·         Please pick up and fill out an application, if you think you might be a future scientist.  If you need more information, please talk to a science teacher.

 

Membership:

 

·         Applications will be submitted to dept chair before end of 2nd grading period by the end of Tuesday before Dead Day (Wednesday) of junior year.  A 3.0 overall GPA during the 1st semester of the junior year is required for consideration.  The Department Chair and the science faculty will review each candidate for admission into the program in key areas listed on the application form.

 

·         A committee consisting of 2 faculty members from chemistry, physics, or biology appointed by dept chair, appropriate to student’s declared area of scientific interest will formulate a proposal with the student during a personal interview.

 

·         Proposal of 1.5-2.5 Carnegie units (3-5 one-semester classes) in science courses above LSMSA graduation requirements

 

·         Proposal will include declaration of intent to perform 80 contact hours of community service and/or research or a science workshop during the summer before senior year.  Contract will be amended in Spring of junior year stating where this work will be performed.  In the case of research, no research paper or public presentation will be required.

 

·         Proposal will include student’s agreement to join 1 science club, 1 competition team, and to serve as an LSMSA Science Ambassador, assistant to faculty for outside science demonstrations, and tutor (if deemed appropriate by committee)

 

·         A 3.25 GPA in LSMSA sciences, with no semester grade lower than C.

 

·         A 3.0 GPA overall at LSMSA, with no semester grade lower than C.

 

Competitions

 

LSMSA students are encouraged to develop science projects and enter them in one or more science competitions.  If you would like more information about one of the following science competitions, please ask a member of our science faculty.

 

LSMSA Science Fair:

 

·         The annual LSMSA Science Fair will be held on Tuesday, December 2, from 6:15-8:30 p.m.

 

Siemens-Westinghouse:

 

·         Must be received by October 1.

 

Intel Science Talent Search (STS):

 

·         For seniors.  Must be received by Nov. 19.

 

Regional Science Fair, LSU-A (Alexandria, LA):

 

·         March 14.  Forms are typically due one week in advance.

 

State Science Fair, LSU (Baton Rouge, LA):

 

·         April 19-20.  Must setup the night before.

 

Lemelson – MIT InvenTeams Program:

 

·         If you are interested in collaborating on an invention in an extra-curricular project, please let me know.  Our school can apply for a grant from the Lemelson – MIT Program for funding to build a prototype.  Applications are available in the fall and due in the spring.  Please see www.inventeams.org for more details.